How to Select a Rotary Screw Air Compressor

The size of the project and budget will help you select a rotary screw air compressor.

A rotary air compressor transmits compressed air to power rock drills, jackhammers and pumps. Air compressors enable machines to bore holes into concrete as well as crush and cut materials such as rock. How you choose a rotary screw air compressor depends on the project you are working on and whether it will need to be transported and how much pressure it will require from compressed air. The main factors in selecting a rotary air screw compressor are the budget, installation challenges, maintenance and use of energy.

Instructions

1. Outline the features of the rotary air compressor you need for your project. If it needs to be portable, you want to select one that has wheels and is compact so it's easy to transport. You need to decide between a compressor that uses oil and one that is oil-free. A compressor that is oil-free will be more expensive but more environmentally friendly than the oil compressor option. However, a rotary air compressor that operates with oil will require yearly maintenance.

2. Take notes on what kind of energy and pressure are required from the air compressor. This will help you narrow down the optimum pressure level and quality of air that is required from your rotary air screw compressor. The more advanced, the more expensive the product will be.

3. Speak with suppliers to get quotes based on the features you are looking for in a compressor. Ask about installation and maintenance expectations for each make of compressor. Also consider whether it will be easy to use.

4. Estimate how long you will need to keep the compressor running on continuous flow to achieve the results you need. Most compressors are built for continuous flow operation, which means they are always running. If you require the rotary to be operating 100 percent of the time, you need a machine that can efficiently run at full capacity at all times.

References

• Compressor Services: Rotary Screw or Reciprocating Air Compressors
• The Engineering ToolBox: Air Compressors